Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Encouragement


"Anything worthwhile does not come easily."  I believe that it is a universally accepted thought, but I have only now begun to embrace it as my rallying cry.  There are some things in my life that I am trying to improve, and some better habits I am trying to develop.  While I am striving to do that, most of the time it is hard to make the good choices that will reinforce those habits.  Especially since most of them are long term goals, that need a combination of time and discipline to accomplish.  Two circumstances that I am finding are very hard to bring together. It is at times like this though that I remember that God is able to do exceedingly more than I can ever imagine.

This came to mind this morning as I was star gazing.  It is August and it is the time of year to watch the Perseid meteor shower.  So this morning at 4:30, after making a quick pot of coffee, I laid in the backyard watching the stars.  I was at first disappointed as there seemed to be way too much light, I had no idea where to look, I was starting to get cold and began to fall back asleep.  It was discouraging.  At that point though, I thought to myself "anything worthwhile does not come easy", and since I was up I would continue to gaze.

So I opened my eyes, as I again had been half falling asleep and shifted to look in a different part of the sky.  At that point I saw a meteor streak across a small section of the sky.  It was gorgeous, and electrifying.  It was also a reminder that to reap the benefits, we first have to do the work.  Sometimes, like tonight, you get a quick reward.  More often than not, it is the determination to continue on through circumstances that will bring the true benefits of your efforts.  I thanked God for the reminder, and the encouragement.  I am not sure where you are at today, but keep at it, you can do it.  Keep looking for the small sign that God will give you.  That He is there, and with Him you can get to that goal, develop that habit or make it to that worthwhile place you long to be.

   

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Lost or found?

For the past two weeks I have been telling preschool and Kindergarten students about the Prodigal Son.  The story of the younger son who leaves his family, loses everything and comes home to his fathers love and forgiveness.  As I told the story, I was so struck by the outpouring of love from the Father, that I had a hard time getting through the end of the story the first time I told them.

I put myself in the young man's shoes.  Depressed, dejected and with nothing left.  No money, clothes in shreds and no pride.  I pictured him walking home, not even aware of his surroundings, as he walked down the road that was so familiar.  The road he had travelled many times as a favored son, but now as little more than a beggar.   When I told the kids of the fathers reaction, how he had watched for his son, and when he was "still far off" the father ran out to meet him.  How the father tells his son that he is so happy, because it was like his son was lost, but now he is found.  I could have cried right then.  Unfortunately, the kids frown on their teacher crying in front of them, so I was able to get it together and croak out the final words.

 I was amazed again that this is God's love.  Watching for our moment of clarity, when we realize that we need more than ourselves.  He then springs into action to meet us in the midst of our need.  He does not wait till we are "good" enough to be in His presence, He wades out into our mess and pulls us to Himself.

That is important to me, you see I was once "lost" too.  Today, I saw the baptism of many more of us who were once lost, but now are found.  It was an interesting group, there were men, women and children.  Some came with childlike faith, or the conviction to  align themselves with Christ.  There were some though, who looked like they truly knew what horror God had saved them from.  It was encouraging to see such a wonderful mix of people.

You see it does not matter what we look like, we are all at one time lost.  The question is do we allow ourselves to ever found?